Photography by Bill Whaley
Primarily open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily, The IVY café in the heart of Easton is a fun discovery for some midday respite, casual dining, and friendly faces. I highly recommend you take this open-for-lunch opportunity to visit the café. Indeed, one visit is likely all you’ll need to become hooked as a repeat diner.
Photography by Bill Whaley
The origins of The IVY grew from local restauranteur Jenn McCrea’s boutique juicing and breakfast/lunch operation at Hill’s Café & Juice Bar (site of the original Hill’s Drug Store) circa 2011 onward. When the Covid pandemic hit in 2020 and operations halted Hill’s and other Easton businesses, several commercial properties that housed them were bought and sold. Many tenants, like McCrea, would be forced out. Shuttered by the sale of the Hill’s property, McCrea pondered her next move. But by late 2021, the opportunity to take over the courtyard and adjacent interior space at 12 & 14 Dover Street crystallized (former site of Krave and, long before that, the Fiddle Leaf Café). For McCrea, the pieces fell into place to create a new dining experience—one built upon her 30-plus years operating within the local restaurant scene. The IVY was born.
Now, at about four years in, the café and its catering business have grown a loyal following. My recent visit was a charming experience that’s earned McCrea and company another appreciative customer.
Popping in via the courtyard entrance that’s tucked off Dover Street, I was greeted and seated by staff. Let the lunching begin. It being a mild late-fall day, the outdoor courtyard was a safe bet for a relaxing foray into The IVY experience (it’s also dog-friendly). If the weather isn’t so nice, there’s a number of tables within the main dining room. Outdoors, you have boxwoods, trees, and, yes, ivy framing the brick hardscape. Indoors, local artwork adorns the walls. The entirety feels hyper-local, cute, and cozy.
Photography by Bill Whaley
Photography by Bill Whaley
For food and drinks, I wanted to sample some of The IVY’s best. I feel like the café came through. And, honestly, some of the best dishes are also the simplest. The IVY procures local and fresh ingredients and whips them into straightforward, delicious dishes. Take, for example, the Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese Salad. A superb selection with its namesake beets ’n cheese, plus candied walnuts, mandarin oranges, cucumbers, carrots, and a balsamic vinaigrette to pep it all up. It’s unpretentious; rather, it’s simply yummy. A balance of popping sweet citrus, those earthy/sugary beets, and, if you get a forkful just right…the crackle of the candied nuts mixed with tart, creamy goat cheese.
Moving along, I sank teeth into the Tarragon Chicken Salad sandwich on marbled rye. Yes! Super tasty with fistfuls of chicken salad packed between the delectable, firm bread with slices of tomato and bib lettuce. The tarragon shines in the mayo-based concoction, obviously, while sweet grapes, celery morsels, and almond slices elevate this homemade version to a must-try staple.
Between salads and sandwiches, the menu is chock full of tempting variations—more than enough to become an IVY regular and never tire of options. I counted upwards of nine or 10 cold sammies, the same number of hot counterparts, and, of salads, also nine. Greek, Buffalo, Cobb, Rueben, Rachel, and Pittsburgh-style are but a few namesakes you’ll find throughout the menu.
Photography by Bill Whaley
You can take it from me…The IVY is worth your time, money, and hunger. Or don’t take it from me. Check out the reviews on Google (almost all five stars), which include several superlative shoutouts for The IVY’s homemade soups. Though I didn’t slurp a bowl of their daily best on this visit, I’ll be certain to next round (the tomato bisque served with a fresh baguette looked ahh-mazing). And note that, in addition to a fine list of tame drinks like teas (my choice), sodas, and sparkling waters, The IVY has its liquor license and, thus, serves a reputable mix of cocktails, a few wines, and several beers. All of this to say…settle in for a midday meal at The IVY, where comfort meets local camaraderie and fine food.
The IVY Café. Catering. | 12 & 14 W. Dover Street, Easton • 410-822-9751 • theivycafeeaston.com
